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SeaStar Medical Holding Corp (ICU)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 revenue of $0.183M declined sequentially but rose y/y; EPS of $(0.13) beat the S&P Global consensus while revenue missed; gross margin was ~92% as COGS began matching sales . Revenue: $0.183M vs $0.338M in Q2’25 and $0.068M in Q3’24; EPS: $(0.13) vs $(0.18) in Q2’25 . Consensus: Revenue $0.250M*, EPS $(0.15)* [Values retrieved from S&P Global].
- Management signaled stronger early Q4 momentum: QUELIMMUNE orders in the first half of Q4 exceeded all of Q3, and full‑year 2025 revenue is anticipated to be over $1M .
- NEUTRALIZE‑AKI pivotal trial: DSMB interim analysis showed a positive efficacy signal and no device‑related safety issues; total enrollment raised from 200 to ~339 with 146 enrolled and 17 sites active, targeting completion near end of 2026 (timeline extended) .
- Balance sheet strengthened: $12.4M raised in Q3; cash of $13.8M at 9/30/25 improves runway as the adult AKI opportunity advances .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Early Q4 QUELIMMUNE demand inflected: “orders to date already exceeding orders for the entire third quarter” .
- Trial safety and efficacy signal: DSMB saw “zero device‑related safety issues” and a “clear signal of benefit,” recommending expansion to 339 patients to ensure power .
- Commercial progress and margins: 10 active commercial pediatric hospitals and ~92% gross margin as COGS matched sales, reflecting a pharma‑like profile .
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What Went Wrong
- Revenue volatility: Q3 net revenue fell to $0.183M from $0.338M in Q2 due to lumpy adoption cadence and registry constraints; revenue missed S&P Global consensus $0.250M* [Values retrieved from S&P Global].
- Timeline extension: NEUTRALIZE‑AKI enrollment completion moved to end‑2026 from earlier ambitions, requiring more sites (17 active; at least 8 more planned) .
- Operating expense dynamics: While down y/y ($3.75M vs $4.52M), total opex rose q/q vs Q2’25 ($2.07M), reflecting higher clinical and audit costs amid cost discipline .
Financial Results
Revenue, EPS, margins vs prior periods and estimates
Note: Consensus from S&P Global. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Operating expense and loss profile
Balance sheet snapshot
KPI snapshot
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “In the first half of the fourth quarter, we are extremely pleased to see very strong QUELIMMUNE sales, with orders to date already exceeding orders for the entire third quarter.” — Eric Schlorff, CEO .
- “The DSMB determined the SCD therapy to be safe with no device‑related adverse events … [and] observed a clear and encouraging signal of benefit … recommended increasing the total enrollment to 339 patients.” — Dr. Kevin Chung, CMO .
- “We currently have 10 active commercial pediatric hospitals … adding four new customers since the beginning of the third quarter.” — Tim Varacek, SVP Commercial & Ops .
- “Gross profit margin of approximately 92% … first full quarter of matching cost of goods sold against QUELIMMUNE unit sales.” — Brad Town, Controller .
- “We are anticipating full‑year revenue for 2025 will be over $1 million.” — Eric Schlorff, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Enrollment and sites: 146 patients enrolled; 17 sites active; plan to activate ~8 more to ~25, with approval for up to 30 if needed to hit 339 by Dec 2026 .
- NEUTRALIZE‑CRS (cardiorenal syndrome): Single‑arm 20‑patient feasibility; expect ~5 sites; aim to complete enrollment in ~1 year, subject to activation pace .
- Revenue clarity: Management reiterated expectation for >$1M FY25 revenue despite quarterly lumpiness .
- Operational tactics: Expanding screening within sites (e.g., surgical ICUs), training and refinement to lift enrollment velocity .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 results vs S&P Global consensus: Revenue $0.183M vs $0.250M* (miss); EPS $(0.13) vs $(0.15)* (beat by $0.02). One estimate in each case (coverage is thin) . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Prior quarter (Q2 2025) context: Revenue $0.338M vs $0.200M* (beat) with EPS $(0.18) vs $(0.43)* (beat), underscoring volatility around early‑stage adoption. Values retrieved from S&P Global.* .
- Implications: Early Q4 order strength suggests Q4 revenue could exceed Q3, potentially aligning with or surpassing the $0.245M* consensus if momentum sustains; however, ultra‑low coverage (1 estimate) increases forecast uncertainty . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Financial Tables (Detail)
Actuals across periods
Results vs Consensus (Q3 2025)
Note: Consensus from S&P Global. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Commercial inflection signals: Early Q4 QUELIMMUNE orders exceeding Q3 provide near‑term revenue momentum and support management’s >$1M FY25 revenue expectation .
- Quality of margin: ~92% gross margin underscores attractive unit economics; as volumes scale, high incremental contribution should emerge .
- Clinical risk/benefit calibration: DSMB’s recommendation to upsize to ~339 patients reflects smaller-than‑assumed effect size at interim but strengthens eventual statistical power; clean safety de‑risks regulatory dialogue .
- Timeline reset: Adult AKI pivotal completion pushed to end‑2026; investors should model longer path to potential PMA submission and commercialization, with ongoing site additions to accelerate enrollment .
- Liquidity improved: $13.8M cash post raise offers runway for trial execution and commercial efforts; watch additional financing cadence as programs expand .
- Estimate sensitivity: With only one covering estimate, reported volatility can drive outsized reaction; Q4 setup is better given order cadence, but coverage thinness elevates uncertainty . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Catalysts: FDA relief from mandatory registry (would accelerate pediatric adoption), NEUTRALIZE‑AKI site activations/enrollment updates, NEUTRALIZE‑CRS site ramp/enrollment, additional hospital wins, and further real‑world registry data .
S&P Global disclaimer: Asterisked consensus figures are from S&P Global and lack document citations. Values retrieved from S&P Global.